In a significant victory against rhino horn trafficking, Simon Valoi, also known as “Navara”, and Paulo Zucula, two notorious figures in the illegal rhino horn trade, have been convicted and sentenced respectively to 27 and 24 years in prison in Mozambique. This decisive action, following their arrest in July 2022 by the Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal (SERNIC) with the support of the Wildlife Justice Commission, is expected to severely disrupt wildlife trafficking networks across southern Africa.
On 16 August 2024, Valoi was convicted on multiple charges: 16 years for illegal wildlife trade, 8 years for criminal association, and 16 years for money laundering. Valoi received a 27-year sentence, along with fines equivalent to 16 years, totaling approximately 170,000 USD in compensation to the state, and the confiscation of assets worth approximately 140,625 USD. Zucula was sentenced to 24 years, with fines for 16 years, totaling approximately 62,500 USD in compensation to the state, and assets worth approximately 265,625 USD seized.
On 27 July 2022, Valoi and Zucula were apprehended by SERNIC officers in Maputo following a coordinated operation with the Wildlife Justice Commission. During their arrest, authorities seized four rhino horns weighing a total of 2.9 kg.
Valoi is one of the most prolific rhino horn poaching bosses known for primarily targeting Kruger National Park in South Africa. His conviction, along with that of his right-hand man Zucula, represents a significant blow to the illegal wildlife trade in southern Africa.
This conviction marks an important achievement in the global fight against wildlife crime. The high sentences given to Simon Valoi and Paulo Zucula send a strong and clear message to those involved in the illegal rhino horn trade: their actions will be met with severe consequences. This outcome would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of SERNIC, from the thorough investigation to the decisive arrest and successful prosecution. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to SERNIC for this outstanding result. We also recognise the crucial role played by the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance working alongside Mozambique prosecutors, whose collaboration was instrumental in securing this conviction.Together, we are making strides in dismantling criminal networks that threaten the survival of rhinos in Mozambique and Southern Africa” said Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of the Wildlife Justice Commission.
Rhino horn trafficking remains a critical issue that must be tackled as a form of transnational organised crime, as emphasised in the Wildlife Justice Commission’s 2022 Global Threat Assessment on Rhino Horn Trafficking.
Although all major African rhino range States have been affected by rhino poaching to varying degrees, South Africa and its largest wildlife reserve, Kruger National Park, have borne the brunt of the poaching crisis. However, poaching data since 2022 has shown displacement of the primary poaching threat from Kruger National Park to other parks and provinces in South Africa, as well as other countries in southern Africa. Many factors are contributing to this shift, including the disruptive impact of targeted law enforcement efforts and strong penalties awarded to high-level criminals such as Valoi, which are having a deterrent effect on other poaching bosses and traffickers.
The Wildlife Justice Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting global partners in their fight against the persistent threat posed by criminal networks trafficking rhino horns for profit.
